Soon, Palm Desert residents might detect the aroma of Greek pastries and fresh made gyros drifting down Larrea Street.
Jim Peterson, chairman of the 14th annual Palm Desert Greek Festival, said it's inevitable the smells from the festival grounds at the St. George Greek Orthodox church reach the community.
Sudden cravings for gyros and baklava have been known to happen, he said.
“People know they cannot get food they get here any place else,” Peterson said. “This is all fresh and handmade.”
For those who want to satisfy that craving, this year's Greek Festival runs 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Feb. 13 and 14.
It is a major fundraiser for the church, funding its ministries and maintenance — including the church's dome currently under renovation — and supporting the efforts of the Philoptochos Society, a charitable arm of the church.
The event's dates are a few weeks earlier than they were last year so that it would not conflict with Lent, said the Rev. Ted Pantels.
And since it's on Feb. 14, organizers hope to lure in anyone looking for a Valentine's Day activity, Peterson said.
Many of last year's vendors, including Skyra's Ceramics, Tupperware and Masashi Art, return this year. Guests can also visit the Hercules Kidz Zone, a Greek cafe and an ice cream sundae stand and Greek grocery and book tent.
Father Pantels said he and Fathers T.P. Theopolis and James Tavlarides will again conduct church tours, one of the organizers favorite festival activities.
The tours allow the church to clear up any confusion about the Greek Orthodox Church, Peterson said.
“When people hear the word ‘orthodox,' they assume we're a cult,” Peterson said. “And we are not.”

They are much like the Catholic Church, Pantels said.

Naturally, the festival's main attraction is the food.

As the event dates neared, Tina Veroulis, Maria Kaltsounis and Lula Valissarakos, who coordinate the volunteers who prepare the food, have shifted into high gear.
“We've made about 1,700 kourambiethes (a Greek shortbread cookie) and 8,000 Koulourakia (Greek butter cookies) and 25 large trays of the pasta flora that (yield) 92 pieces each,” Veroulis said.
They've gone through 15 30-pound boxes of filo dough, 196 pounds of ground beef, 100 pounds of butter and eight tubs of grape leaves for the traditional dolmathes or stuffed grape leaves, she said.
Cooking started in November and was winding down a week before the event.
Most of the items are stored in deep freeze until the festival.
“And we want to be left with hopefully nothing,” Veroulis said. “We want to sell out.”

One Response to “Get ready for Greek Fest”

1. Ana Storton/ Media& Publicity says:

   December 29, 2010 at 4:24 am

   SPEND A WEEKEND IN GREECE! OPA! Please, join us for the 15th Anniversary Palm Desert Greek Fest on March 4th, 5th & 6th, 2011. This year will be a great celebration with Guest, Celebrity Ariana Savalas leading the party.OPA! New this year is a Friday evening “Taverna Night” teaser with limited menu and drinks to get things started. Then on to the traditional Saturday & Sunday 11am -9pm full Festival with Authentic Foods, Greek Beer & Wine, Vendors, Church tours & a Kids Zone. See Website for full details. Come SPEND A WEEKEND IN GREECE.